Communication device



Jul 12 1927.

y M. J. TRACY COMMUNICATION DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18 1927 1,635,650 July l2 1927. M. J. TRACY COMMUNICATION DEVI CE Filed Feb. 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /V/cf/A/SL L/ reflex Patented July 12,1927.

UNITED STATES IIGELEL J'. TRACY,\ CEST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.`

f oolmumcarron nnvmn.

' applicati nica February. 1a, 1927.' serial no. 169,216.

l-My invention has relation toimprovements in communication devices` adapted for insertion into a. partition or jwall vand consible y-to transmlt any substance whatever,-

' I provide a plurality sists .in ltheJ novel features of constructionmore fully set forthin the specification and pointed out 'in the claims. The present-"nventionis a modification of that shown in my Patent No. 1,562,811 dated' November 24,1925, and,'as in the device of said patent, is particularly applicable vfor insertion inv/partitions in jails or other institutions of confinement. However, .instead of providing a special' sound transmitting panel as is shown in the patent referred to',

of interrupted passageways in the muntms separating the glass windows in the partition. i

The principal object of the presentimA proveniente 1s to provide a sound transmitting device for Vthe purpose of carrying on conversation. on the opposite sides of the partition, through which device it is imposl whether it be' tools that could be used in jail delivery, narcotics or liquor; a 'further object ofthe mventionA 1s to provides conversation deviceY that is practically` invisible, and one possessing further and other advantages better apparent rom a detailed description of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: y

Figure 1. represents a side elevation of a fragment of a partition embodying :ny/improved conversation` device; Fig. isa hor i. zontal cross-section taken on the line 2f-2 of a jail partition on one .side of which is a" booth 2 for the accommodation of visitorsj when engaged in conversation with a prisoner on the opposite side of said partition;

The partition .1-is constructed principally of toolproof steel late and has a plurality of openings 3 in ,w ich are tted non-frangible glass panels 4, said panelsbeing constructed of glass of such composition that it will resist fracture by or instruments. The windows 3 in the present 1- stance are arrangedf within 'a rame and are separated by the customary mullions 6 and muntins 7. As shown in Figsmi and 5, the muntins and mullions arebuilt up of laminations consisting of tool-(proof Steel plates 8, 9, l0 and 11 in intimate relation, the plate 9 being narrower than/8 and 10 vwhich are contiguous Ito it so as to provide recesses 12, 12 for receiving the glass panels Il, 4. Inthe presenty through the muntins yby the provision"y of interru ted passageways, the plate 8 having a plura ity of counterbores 13 extending-into it about half wayfrom one edge, said counterbores being in communication with openings V14 traversing the walls 15 between the bores' 13 and the inner surface -16 of the plate 8. Each of the openings 14 communi- -Cates with a holeV 17 passing through the to span all-oft 'e-openings 17 in the plate 9. Plate 11 is provided with a plurality of counterbores 19 similar tothose in the ypl-ate18, but in staggered relation to the counterbores 13 in the plate. -A passageway 20 traverses the wall 21 between each counterbore 19 and the lnner surface 22 of plate 11,

said passageway 20 "communicating with the slot 1,8 in plate .10. In View of the staggered relatlon. between the counterbores 13 andl l counterbores 19, the passageways 17 and the passageways 20 will 4not be oppositely disposed, but will communicate with the ot 18 in staggered relation. Therefore, eversthough both sets of passageways 17 and "2O communicate with thechamber formed y the slot 18, such communication will not`be in a direct line and it Ywill be practically imossible for any Substance whatever.;to be introduced through either passageway 13 or passageway 19 and find ent-ry into the opposite passageway. f

Having described niy invention, I claim: 1. A partition rcomposed principally of tool-ps cof steel plate, a plurality of window pane therein, steel muntins separating said panels, and means embodied 1n said muntixis permit, passage of sound thereplate 9.. Plate 10y hasa slot 18'extending f suificientlyfalon the length of said plate 10 85 for transmitting Sound therethrough, said ineens being arranged to obstruct Vthe passage of any substance through the Innntin.-

A partition comprising a Window panel, and steel ninntins encasing said panel, one of said muntins having tortuous passageways extending through it.

3. A partition comprising a Window panel, a suitable frame enclosing said panel, said frame being composed of laininations of sheet met-al, said laminations having communic-ating passageways collectively forming a tortnons pues-ige through the partition.

4. A partition comprising a window panel, a suitable .traine enclosing said panel, ysaid frame having a chamber Within it and pas sageways leading from opposite sides to said chamber, said passageways being disposed in non-aligning relation.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my i 20 si gnature.

MICHAEL J. TRACY. 

